Development News

Council rejects Meltham Station Precinct Structure Plan

The City of Bayswater Council last night (16 May 2017) resolved not to support the structure plan put forward for the Meltham Station precinct.

The structure plan was prepared by consultants Planning Solutions on behalf of a joint venture between developer Pindan and a number of landowners.

Mayor Barry McKenna said that while Council acknowledged the benefits of growth and development around transport hubs such as Meltham Station, the structure plan put forward was flawed in a number of important areas.

"The fact that Council received over 350 submissions from the community speaks volumes about the anxieties the proposed structure plan has generated," Mayor McKenna said.

"Council was concerned that the increase in density and scale of development proposed would put the character, heritage and amenity of the area at risk.

"The lack of public open space and potential for significant traffic congestion were also areas that in our view had not been adequately addressed."

Mayor McKenna said that Council did not support the structure plan in its current form and will be advising the WA Planning Commission to that effect.

"Changes to the plan are needed and the community's concerns need to be addressed," he added.

Although Council decided not to support the structure plan, Council's resolution included recommendations for changes that it believes the WA Planning Commission should require if the Commission decided to give approval despite Council's advice.

These changes include a reduction in permitted heights, the need for more public open space, road intersection upgrades and changes to the boundaries covered by the structure plan.